1. The Age of Faith Reasons for Church’s Power Power of the Church1. 2. 3.
Power of the Church
Pope
Clergy
Monasteries, Abbeys, and Convents
Two Christian Thinkers
St. Augustine
City of God
St. Thomas Aquinas
Suma Theologica
Natural Law
The Holy Land
Pope Urban II’s Sermon
Calling for the First Crusade
Pilgrimages
Muslim Invasion
“Begin the journey to the Holy Sepulcher; conquer that land which the wicked have seized, the land given by God to the children of Israel and which, as the Scripture says, ‘is all milk and honey.’ Undertake this journey for [forgiveness] of your sins, with the promise of ‘glory which will not fade’ in Heaven. When you make an armed attack on the enemy, let all those on God’s side cry out, ‘God wills it!’”
What were some of the reasons that inspired Europeans to take part in the Crusades?
Effects of the Crusades
New Ideas and Products
Increased Trade
Growth of Intolerance

2. The Age of Faith Reasons for Church’s Power Power of the Church1. 2. 3.
Power of the Church
Pope
Clergy
Monasteries, Abbeys, and Convents
Two Christian Thinkers
St. Augustine
City of God
St. Thomas Aquinas
Suma Theologica
Natural Law
The Holy Land
Pope Urban II’s Sermon
Calling for the First Crusade
Pilgrimages
Muslim Invasion
“Begin the journey to the Holy Sepulcher; conquer that land which the wicked have seized, the land given by God to the children of Israel and which, as the Scripture says, ‘is all milk and honey.’ Undertake this journey for [forgiveness] of your sins, with the promise of ‘glory which will not fade’ in Heaven. When you make an armed attack on the enemy, let all those on God’s side cry out, ‘God wills it!’”
What were some of the reasons that inspired Europeans to take part in the Crusades?
Effects of the Crusades
New Ideas and Products
Increased Trade
Growth of Intolerance

3. Popes vs. Kings: A Grudge Match!
During the Middle Ages both popes and kings became increasingly powerful. While popes had great spiritual power, kings held political power. Christian monarchs ruled many European kingdoms such as France and England. On the other hand, popes were seen as God’s representatives on Earth. One could predict these two great powers would come into conflict often. Disagreements about church leadership appointments and political policy became inevitable as each party struggled to maintain power.
In this grudge match you will determine a winner for each round by placing a check in the box of the leader who had more power. At the end, your selection will provide evidence supporting who ultimately had the most power!
Kings
Popes
Round One
Since attackers like the Vikings were not Christian, they did not view Christian institutions like monasteries and churches as holy. Hence, they were fair game to pillage. The Pope depended on the king and his army for protection.
Place a check below leader with the most power.
Round Two
With hope to restore the power of the late Roman Empire, King Charlemagne was crowned emperor of the Romans by Pope Leo III on Christmas Day in 800. Charlemagne’s empire included all of modern France and stretched into Germany, Italy, Austria, and Northern Spain.
Place a check below leader with the most power.
Round Three
Popes and kings disagreed about who should be able to appoint bishops (local church officials). King Henry IV asserted that since kings were chosen by God, they should be able to choose the bishop in their kingdom. Emperor Henry IV said, “Our Lord Jesus Christ has called us to kingship, bust had not called you to the priesthood…You who have not been called by God…[are suggesting that the king’s appointment should be rejected].”
Agree? Place a check to the right.
Round Four
In 1073 King Henry IV selected a bishop that Pope Gregory VII did not like. The Pope excommunicated (cast out of the church) King Henry IV. Remember, Christians believe that if you die while excommunicated you will not go to heaven. Desperate, the king turned to his nobles for support, but they were also afraid. The king apologized and asked for forgiveness. In fact, the king stood barefoot in the snow for three days before the Pope would even talk to him.
Place a check below the leader with the most power.
Round Five
Pope Gregory VII thought popes should be able to appoint bishops (church officials). He said that kings did not have the power to choose holy leaders because they themselves were not holy. He said, “Who does not know that kings…derive their [leadership] from men who are ignorant of God. [Kings] raised themselves above other fellows through…every kind of crime…Does anyone doubt that priests…are considered as masters over kings?”
Agree? Place a check to the left.
Round Six
The Pope is viewed as God’s representative on Earth. After the collapse of the Roman Empire, many people in Italy looked to popes as their leaders. As a result, some popes lived much like royalty with lavish palaces.
Place a check below leader with the most power.
Round Seven
The Church and monasteries were the keepers of knowledge. Monks wrote and compiled religious and other texts. Thus, some of the first universities were created by the church. As the top religious leader, the Pope often determined what would be taught. In additions to religion, universities also taught law, medicine and astronomy. Of course, the language of the Church was Latin and since Latin was not the spoken language, the church clergy had ultimate control over the information being taught.
Place a check below leader with the most power.

4. Popes vs. Kings: A Grudge Match!
During the Middle Ages both popes and kings became increasingly powerful. While popes had great spiritual power, kings held political power. Christian monarchs ruled many European kingdoms such as France and England. On the other hand, popes were seen as God’s representatives on Earth. One could predict these two great powers would come into conflict often. Disagreements about church leadership appointments and political policy became inevitable as each party struggled to maintain power.
In this grudge match you will determine a winner for each round by placing a check in the box of the leader who had more power. At the end, your selection will provide evidence supporting who ultimately had the most power!
Kings
Popes
Round One
Since attackers like the Vikings were not Christian, they did not view Christian institutions like monasteries and churches as holy. Hence, they were fair game to pillage. The Pope depended on the king and his army for protection.
Place a check below leader with the most power.
Round Two
With hope to restore the power of the late Roman Empire, King Charlemagne was crowned emperor of the Romans by Pope Leo III on Christmas Day in 800. Charlemagne’s empire included all of modern France and stretched into Germany, Italy, Austria, and Northern Spain.
Place a check below leader with the most power.
Round Three
Popes and kings disagreed about who should be able to appoint bishops (local church officials). King Henry IV asserted that since kings were chosen by God, they should be able to choose the bishop in their kingdom. Emperor Henry IV said, “Our Lord Jesus Christ has called us to kingship, bust had not called you to the priesthood…You who have not been called by God…[are suggesting that the king’s appointment should be rejected].”
Agree? Place a check to the right.
Round Four
In 1073 King Henry IV selected a bishop that Pope Gregory VII did not like. The Pope excommunicated (cast out of the church) King Henry IV. Remember, Christians believe that if you die while excommunicated you will not go to heaven. Desperate, the king turned to his nobles for support, but they were also afraid. The king apologized and asked for forgiveness. In fact, the king stood barefoot in the snow for three days before the Pope would even talk to him.
Place a check below the leader with the most power.
Round Five
Pope Gregory VII thought popes should be able to appoint bishops (church officials). He said that kings did not have the power to choose holy leaders because they themselves were not holy. He said, “Who does not know that kings…derive their [leadership] from men who are ignorant of God. [Kings] raised themselves above other fellows through…every kind of crime…Does anyone doubt that priests…are considered as masters over kings?”
Agree? Place a check to the left.
Round Six
The Pope is viewed as God’s representative on Earth. After the collapse of the Roman Empire, many people in Italy looked to popes as their leaders. As a result, some popes lived much like royalty with lavish palaces.
Place a check below leader with the most power.
Round Seven
The Church and monasteries were the keepers of knowledge. Monks wrote and compiled religious and other texts. Thus, some of the first universities were created by the church. As the top religious leader, the Pope often determined what would be taught. In additions to religion, universities also taught law, medicine and astronomy. Of course, the language of the Church was Latin and since Latin was not the spoken language, the church clergy had ultimate control over the information being taught.
Place a check below leader with the most power.